Election gun ban nets 555 violators

MANILA -- As the poll gun ban nears its one month of implementation, the total number of violators continues to rise as 555 people have been caught carrying firearms, deadly weapons, and explosives this election period.

Latest data from the Philippine National Police (PNP) show that as of February 6 morning, the election gun ban has led to the arrest of 493 civilians, 40 security guards, 11 police personnel, eight government employees, one military personnel, a militiaman, and one from the fire bureau.

Authorities have also confiscated 488 firearms, 17 grenades, six other explosives, 2,597 pieces of ammunition, eight firearm replicas, and 128 bladed weapons.

Amid the recent string of crimes, a total of 1,134 night and day checkpoints were conducted from January 13 to February 5 in Metro Manila, according to the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO).

Police Director Leonardo Espina, NCRPO chief, reminded his men to intensify the gun ban and security efforts, particularly in financial institutions and places of public convergence such as malls and train stations.

And after the Quezon incident last month, Espina also directed all police commanders to ensure strict observance of PNP rules and regulations in the proper conduct of police checkpoints.

The gun ban will last until June 12, which is also the end of the election period. (Emmanuel Louis Bacani/Sunnex)